Businesses in Wellingborough will receive new Pavement Licences for free, following a unanimous council decision to support business owners as lockdown measures are relaxed.
At a meeting of the full council (14 July), Councillors considered whether there should be a £100 fee for the licence (the maximum fee permitted for this) but unanimously agreed that no fee should be charged in order to support the recovery after the closure for businesses during the pandemic.
The new licence will authorise public houses, restaurants, cafes or other drinking establishments to put removable furniture on part of the public highway to sell or serve food or drink from their premises or for customers to consume food or drink from the licence holder’s premises.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Martin Griffiths, presented the report and proposed that the council not apply a charge. He said: “The Business and Planning Bill is a positive step in supporting the hospitality trade in reopening.
“Expanding the floor space available to them will help to make it more economically viable for businesses to open while complying with the required social distancing measures to ensure public safety.
“I would like to propose a nil fee to show that we are doing all we can to help local businesses in these extremely difficult and challenging times and to support the sector back in to trading as swiftly as possible and within the guidelines.”
The nil fee decision also complements the council’s offer of a free market space in the town centre for the next three months.
Cllr Griffiths added: “The Borough Council of Wellingborough continues to do the right things to support town centre businesses; the ongoing works to improve heritage buildings, the recently started public realm improvements in the Tithe Barn area, the rebuild of the Tresham College and the impressive improvements to the multi storey car park show that Wellingborough is very much open for business.”
What is a Pavement Licence?
The Government has recently announced new legislation to enable local councils to grant a ‘Pavement Licence’ to outlets, who will be able to place removable furniture adjacent to their premises so they can serve food and drinks to their customers, who may prefer to sit outside.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Martin Griffiths says: “In the current circumstances it is likely that many shoppers feel safer and happier buying their goods in the open.
“We are delighted be able to offer a free rent period for our market stall holders and for others who may wish to take a stall in the current climate, the introduction of pavement licences is an opportunity for local business to benefit from this new legislation and I am very pleased that as a council the decision was made to waive the proposed fee of £100 here in Wellingborough.
“I really hope that market traders, shoppers, visitors to our town and the hospitality sector make the most of these opportunities in the weeks and months ahead, but at the same time everyone adheres to the law and follows all up to date guidance at all times”.
The 2020 Act sets out two conditions that must be adhered to, that there should be no-obstruction and a smoke-free seating area.